Backyard Sheds: The In-Depth Guide

Backyard sheds are becoming more and more popular as people are understanding their true potential. Apart from their most obvious use as a backyard storage shed, during the last few years especially, people have been realizing their potential to be used as an office shed. In order to work from home efficiently, people have also been creating separate backyard office pods out of backyard sheds.

The functional potential doesn’t end there. A backyard storage shed could be that perfect oasis you need, or it could be the ideal playroom for your children. With the multitude of styles, shapes, sizes, and customizing options, the possibilities are endless when it comes to backyard sheds.

Read on to discover what you need to know to pick the right backyard shed for you.

What To Look Out For In A Shed

Whether you’re looking at backyard sheds for additional storage space or to extend your home’s living space, picking the right one for you is not always easy. With the many different backyard sheds for sale, the options can seem overwhelming.

When looking to buy a backyard large shed for storage, there are several factors to consider before making your purchase. Obvious aspects include the size, cost, and style, but you do not want to stop there. A backyard storage shed can be a pretty significant investment, and you will be relying on it for many years to come. So here are a few more things to consider when assessing the different backyard sheds for sale.

If you’re considering a medium-sized shed, we’ve got a great article on 200 sq. ft. sheds.

Price Vs. Quality

When hunting for the perfect shed, do not let the price be your sole determining factor. Some shoppers immediately put blinders on and ignore some important considerations once they’ve found the cheapest possible price. However, sheds with higher-quality materials and a solid construction will last longer and look better than the cheapest options. Paying only a few hundred dollars more is usually a smart investment. If your budget is a primary consideration, then focus on simple, well-built sheds that are made with basic materials rather than those with fancy features or premium materials.

Design Considerations

Backyard sheds are not just for storing things away. The appearance of your shed can be just as important as its function and can affect the overall appearance of your property. Ideally, the shed you choose should complement the style of your home. For example, you can mimic the design of your home’s roof or maybe match specific features such as an arched window or door. If your home has a barn-style roof, then you could match that with a type of barn shed. The intended use of your shed will also determine its design. Sheds intended to be used as backyard office pods may be made from a modern-style design that includes large windows to let light in. Or garages may be made from a high barn-style design with a large door and loft space.

Blending Into The Landscape

Think about how you might integrate your shed into the surrounding landscape. Paint colors, siding options, and incorporating plants–all can help backyard storage sheds blend into a yard, rather than sticking out like sore thumbs. You can construct garden beds around a shed and plant them with your favorite flowers. If the shed has wood siding, installing trellises up against the walls to grow vine plants can also be a good option.

Shed Materials

There are four main options for storage shed materials: painted wood, stained wood, metal, and vinyl. Each material comes with its own cost and maintenance pros and cons.

A wooden shed needs about as much maintenance with repainting and repairing damaged or rotted parts as a house does. Metal and vinyl sheds do not need to be painted and require little maintenance. However, metal shed materials are prone to corrosion if their paint or protective coating becomes scratched or damaged, and metal doors and other parts will wear over time. Vinyl sheds generally require the least maintenance of all.

Foundation And Flooring

Some sheds will include a floor, while others do not. Wood sheds will typically have standard-framed floors made from plywood flooring. With most metal and some plastic sheds, the flooring is sold separately from the shed structure, and you have the choice of opting for the manufacturer’s floor system or building your own. In general, a floor can add $100 on average to the total cost of the shed.

Nevertheless, regardless of the floor type, it’s best to install a shed on a stable foundation that keeps the shed off soil or wet ground. This could be pressure-treated wood timbers, concrete blocks, or a bed of compacted gravel. Additionally, an elevated or well-draining foundation goes a long way to help prevent rot or corrosion.

The Types Of Garden Sheds

As mentioned, there are various styles and designs of backyard sheds for sale. Your choice will depend on personal preference, budget, material, size, and intended use. With that said, here are the main types of sheds available.

Shed Kits

Shed kits are available in a variety of styles and designs to suit your preferences. With shed kits, the manufacturer will partly assemble the shed and then deliver it on a flatbed truck to your property.

Kits are much easier to assemble in comparison to building a shed from scratch. Prices and shipping fees are also lower than prefab sheds, making shed kits more budget-friendly. However, the assembly aspect requires you to have some basic handyman skills and the tools available. If you don’t have the skills to build your shed, you will need to hire a handyman to do the job.

Prefab Sheds

These sheds come built and ready to install in your yard. There is no need for tools to assemble any parts. All you need to do is ensure that the shed can be easily delivered to the area of your yard where you wish to install the shed.

However, prefab sheds cost more than kits, as does the shipping. Most manufacturers will ship sheds on the back of trucks and use a forklift to position it in your yard. Therefore, the costs of your shed can be expected to increase significantly. If you’re interested, we’ve got another great piece of content on prefab cottage sheds.

Shed Additional Extras

By adding a few extras to your shed, you can elevate it to a place where you love spending time. You may wish to consider the following additional upgrades to your shed to maximize its potential for being an office shed, work shed, or even a guest space.

• Electricity – Installing electricity allows the possibility for lighting, use of electronics for entertainment, or for power for your tools for use as a work shed.

• Air-conditioning and insulation – With air-conditioning and insulation, sheds can become perfect backyard office pods or living spaces. You will be able to enjoy your shed comfortably in any climate or season.

• Plumbing – Adding plumbing to your shed allows you to add a kitchen or bathroom, making it the perfect environment for a guest house or to provide your kids with the ultimate playhouse.

What Is The Purpose Of Your Shed?

The purpose of your shed can change with the seasons of the year or the seasons of your life. You can always reinvent your shed’s function and make it into something new. Take, for example, a loafing shed; loafing sheds are great options for horses and cows. Or, you could utilize some great office shed ideas within your recent acquisition.

Shed Function Ideas

From an office shed to an outdoor theater room to a guest house, your new backyard shed can assume the form of many different functions. If you’re stumped for ideas, here’s a list of what your shed can become.

• Small living room
• A magical playhouse
• Party shed
• Outdoor kitchen
• Mini gym
• Guesthouse
• Hobby nook
• A home for your pet
• Game room
• Garden office
• Potting shed
• Garden theater
• Camping shed

Let Us Help You Find Your Perfect Backyard Shed

The perfect backyard shed is different for everyone. With an endless number of options such as size, style, material, price, and plans, the ideal shed for you is out there. So, whether you are looking for a secluded space to relax or just a place to store your outdoor equipment and tools, Esh’s Utility Buildings will have the shed to satisfy your needs. Whether you want a Ranch shed, High Barn shed, or Low Barn shed, we would love to see you with one of our quality buildings.

With our customizable options and a design-your-own shed tool, you will easily be able to navigate your way through the many shed types to find what you need. So, reach out to us today and start your search for the perfect backyard shed for you.